Heavy drinkers found to exercise more

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Researchers theorized that outings after group sports might explain the link between exercise and alcohol consumption.

Researchers theorized that outings after group sports might explain the link between exercise and alcohol consumption.

Photo: Kim Komenich, SFC

Photo: Kim Komenich, SFC

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Researchers theorized that outings after group sports might explain the link between exercise and alcohol consumption.

Researchers theorized that outings after group sports might explain the link between exercise and alcohol consumption.

Photo: Kim Komenich, SFC

Heavy drinkers found to exercise more

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Myth: People who drink more exercise less.

Fact: Not so, say researchers at the University of Miami and 230,000 people nationally who self-reported their weekly exercise and drinking habits to them.

Of those who reported they participated in vigorous exercise, men and women who were considered heavy drinkers worked out 10 more minutes than moderate drinkers, and 20 minutes more than nondrinkers.

Vigorous activities are those that cause large increases in breathing and heart rate, such as running, aerobics or heavy manual labor. Nearly half of the respondents reported that they had not engaged in vigorous exercise in the last 30 days, but nondrinkers were slightly more likely to fall into this category.

A heavy drinker, according to the study, was a woman who consumed more than 46 drinks during the 30 days prior to the interview, or a man who consumed more than 76. Women who had 15 to 45 drinks per month and men who had 30 to 75 were labeled moderate drinkers. A light drinker was a woman who had less than 14 drinks or a male who had less than 29.

University of Miami researchers theorized that vigorous exercise and alcohol consumption might be linked because people often go out for drinks together after participating in group sports. They also suggest that heavy drinkers might exercise "to compensate for the extra calories gained through drinking or to counter-balance the negative health effects of drinking."

In the short term, drinking can cause dehydration, which athletes need to be mindful of preventing. The study's authors also warn against the evils of drinking too much or exercising too little.

"Similar to an unhealthy diet and cigarette smoking, heavy drinking and physical inactivity are two behavioral practices that are strongly discouraged by health professionals because they significantly contribute to preventable chronic disease morbidity and mortality."

The U.S. Surgeon General recommends people participate in 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least five days per week.